PFC Minutes

“Unapproved”

Minutes of the Police & Fire Commission meeting held on Monday, November 9, 2009 at City Hall pursuant to notice duly given.

1. Meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m. by President Olson.

2. Roll Call: Dick Olson, Steve Gering, Gene Berth and Ron Hayes
Also present: Chief Carper, Chief Phillips and Mayor Nerenhausen
Excused: Tim Longsine

3. Moved by Hayes second by Gering to approve of the agenda as presented.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 4 ayes

4. Moved by Hayes second by Berth to approve of the minutes from 10/12/09 meeting.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 4 ayes

5. No Public Input or Correspondence;

6. Discussion/action/update on:
a. Alarm System/Paging/Telephone/Radio;
Phillips stated this relates to the building and how the firefighters are paged...in past emergency lines were used…ISO deducts if you have an alarm system that reports right to the fire station …should be dispatched thru 911…effective December 1, 2009 that alarm system will be disabled; Direct emergency lines to 911…this will free-up fire-fighters to do other things…i.e. inspections, getting out into the community…ISO will improve…a complex project; Phillips reported that 4 facilities were still on alarm system and were informed it would be disabled ; Gering questioned how they were informed; Phillips stated the City Administrator sent a letter with confirmation that they understood the changes; Mayor stated possibly doing a press release informing public to call 911 rather than fire department number; Hayes stated this was a positive step in the right direction; Carper stated that there may be issues with receiving non-emergency calls if the firemen are out doing inspections and if the police are out on calls where will calls go?...think about what process might be; Hayes stated with technology, calls could be transferred to cell phones; Gering stated something as simple as an answering machine could be considered for non-emergency calls; John Reed stated we need to educate the public…this is being done to increase better responses;

b. Highway Operations Policy;
Chief Phillips distributed a graph that he stated explains state standards for highway operations safety management…when a call comes in that warrants such action, an engine would by sent out along with ambulance…the engine would be used as a blocking truck to protect the ambulance from highway traffic…engine acts as a safety buffer; Phillips stated he met with Chief Duffy of Town of Pensaukee and the departments will team-up to do traffic incident management training;
Moved by Berth second by Gering to approve enacting Highway Operations Policy.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 4 ayes

c. Recruitment;
Chief Phillips referred to banner that Ron Hayes put together…will have 2 of these banners that inform the public that Fire Department is accepting applications for paid-on-call firefighters; Phillips stated we have 13 right now…20 is more desirable number to help cover weekends and holidays; Phillips reported that NWTC will be offering a course for entry level firefighter and EMT training…the course will be held here during the months of January, February and March; Gering questioned if we have ever thought of high school Seniors for recruiting; Phillips stated he can’t speak to that but would make every effort to reach out to the young people; Carper stated in the past the high school offered Career Days and that gave the students a chance to job shadow, but it’s been a few years since that has been done;

d. Training;
Phillips distributed report of overview of what has occurred over the last month…will be concentrating on inspections; Phillips stated new fire hose will needed to be purchased, will seek quotes…purchased some new pagers; Phillips reported that each of the full-time firefighters have different responsibilities overseeing areas within the department...has had very good participation from guys; Phillips reported that on Halloween the guys assisted parents and children with street crossing …enjoyable time making contact with the adults and children; Gering commented on the excellent report the Chief had submitted…more than they had received in the past;

7. Review/recommend Police/Fire/Ambulance Dept. reports including Fire/Ambulance overtime reports;
Carper stated he went into Spillman to try to generate some year-to date reports…some reports pulled too much personal information; Carper stated he will try again;
Moved by Hayes second by Berth to accept reports as presented.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 4 ayes

8 Approve accounts payable/check register dept. reports in the amount of $8384.02;
Moved by Hayes second by Longsine to accept reports as presented.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 4 ayes

9. Moved by Berth second by Hayes to approve of the expense and revenue reports
as presented.
Carper stated we was planning to attend Finance meeting, couldn’t make it to that but went to Committee of the Whole meeting and found that Mayor had brought up squad dilemma Mayor stated the Finance Committee did not have to meet with department heads because all budgets came in within reason;
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 4 ayes

10. Report on meetings/conferences/seminars attended.
Chief Carper reported that the he will be attending a meeting regarding changes in emergency detention process; Phillips reported he attended a Fire Chiefs meeting put on by Oconto County Fire Chief’s Association…representative from State of Wisconsin discussed MABAS (Mutual Aid Box Alarm System);

11. Moved by Berth second by Gering to adjourn. M/C
Meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.

Minutes submitted by:
Carol Stewart
Deputy Clerk Treasurer